Education

The Save Our Community (SOC) organization of Southport hosted its annual student recognition program at Friendship Baptist Church on June 29.
Norman Jones, master of ceremonies, opened the program by asking the audience to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Jessica White of St. James AMEZ Church read Psalm 23. Emma Myles of First Baptist Church prayed. Kyerra Kinsey of Friendship Baptist Church gave the welcome. Regina White of Brown’s Chapel AMEZ Church reviewed the five objectives of the SOC organization.

ATMC has presented $2,000 scholarships to four high school seniors in Brunswick and Columbus counties. Awards were presented to Tanner Duncan, William Edwards, Christine Guseman and Ashley Roberts.
Duncan, son of Greg and Wendy Duncan of Tabor City, plans to attend East Carolina University, where he will major in engineering.
Edwards, son of Jimi and Cindy Edwards of Shallotte, plans to attend UNC-Greensboro and major in secondary education.

Appalachian names grads, dean’s list
Appalachian State University has released its graduation list for the spring 2012 semester.
A total of 343 graduate students and 1,774 undergraduate students received degrees during ceremonies in May, including 13 from Brunswick County.

When Bolivia Elementary schoolteachers Sally Lewis and Lucy Ganfield told students to “Come Grow With Us,” they knew the kids were in for a “root” awakening.
Studying the complete growing cycle of living things would stimulate the children and correlate with many aspects of the common core of study for reading, math and science learning objectives, so they applied for an ATMC Smart Connections grant and were awarded the grant last fall.

Youth in Brunswick County are often raised with goals of attending college after high school and establishing themselves as a successful businessperson. Many youth dream of remaining in Brunswick County as adults and raising families of their own.

But too often, these youth can’t find suitable work in the county to sustain their dreams. The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center recognized the issue and is working to put a stop to this phenomenon throughout the state. The goal is to involve youth and young adults in economic and civic life.

BOLIVIA—Members of the Brunswick County Board of Education will review findings from a recent Advance Ed accreditation process at an upcoming retreat in July.

Jessica Swencki, spokeswoman for Brunswick County Schools, said school staff received a final, written report from Advance Ed on Tuesday, June 26.

Board of education members received an oral report from an Advance Ed representative at a special called meeting in April, but Swencki said the upcoming retreat would provide a thorough review of all written findings.

Riegert named to dean’s list
Emma Riegert of Oak Island was named to the spring 2012 dean’s list at the University of Charleston. The dean’s list recognizes full-time students who earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
The University of Charleston is a small, private college with about 1,400 students from 31 states and 26 countries.
It offers 24 undergraduate majors, master’s programs in business and physician assistant studies, and a doctorate in pharmacy.